Winding machine



March 25, 1941. E, R sw s 2,236,459

WINDING MACHINE Filed March 51, 1959 s Sheets-Sheet 1 m MM? )maw March25, 1941. E, SWANSQN' 2,236,459

I wnmme MACHiNE 1 Filed March 31, 1939 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Zakari'r:

.7 W M vmu Jfiazwgvs:

March 25, 1941. E. R. SWANSON 2,236,459

WINDING MACHINE 7 Filed March 51, 1939 s Sheets-Sheet a Patented Mary.25, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE WINDING MACHINE Application March31, 1939, Serial No. 265,315

13 Claims.

The present invention relates to winding machines for winding bobbins,pirns, cops, cones and other forms of packages of thread, yarn andsimilar strand-materials. In the following specification and claims theterm package is employed in a general sense to signify any form of woundmass and the term yarn is intended to apply to all types ofstrand-material whether textile or otherwise.

One object of the-present invention is to provide means for relievingthe tension on the strand deliverin to the winding machine at the startof winding apackage or when the winding opera tion is resumed after itsarrestment for any cause.

Another object of the invention is to provide means controlledautomatically by. the winding machine to relieve or entirely remove theapplied tension on the strand as it is first taken up by the Windingoperation.

Another object of the invention is to provide means for opening orotherwise controlling the tension-device to prevent it from applyingtension to the strand during the initial stage of the winding.

Another object of the invention is to provide electrically-actuatedmeans for controlling the operation of the tension-device.

Still another object of the invention is to provide electromagneticmeans for opening the tension-device. i I

Further objects of the invention are to provide a device of the typeindicated which is simple in construction, dependable in action andproof against derangement Or getting out of order.

The following specification describes a preferred form of constructionof the invention and a modification thereof as illustrated by theaccompanyin drawings. In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of a bobbinor pirn-winding machineshowing the present invention applied to use therewith;

Fig. 2 is an end elevational view of the same;

Fig. 3 is a plan View of the tension-device of the machine and theelectrical controlling means therefor, showing the tension-membersclosed to.- gether to act on the strand as it feeds therebetween';

Fig. 4 is a similar plan view showing the tension-members in openposition under the action of the controlling means to relieve thetension on the yarn;

Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic view .of the electromagnet, switch and wiringconnectionsfor the tension-controlling means;

Fig. 6 is an elevational view of a winding matension-controlling meansof the modified form of winding machine.

In winding machines of various types the strand-material is usuallywound on a yarn-carrier such as a bobbin, pirn, cop-tube or other corerotated by a winding spindle, drive-roll or other means and the strandis traversed longitudinally thereof by reciprocatory or rotary guidingmeans to deposit it in helical coils on the core. Means are usuallyprovided for tensioning the strand as it feeds to the package beingwound and when the rotation of the winding spindle is continuous thesudden draft on the strand at the start of the winding is liable tostrain or rupture the yarn if tension is applied thereto at thisjuncture. Likewise, in winding large packages of yarn at high speed,when the winding is started abruptly severe strain is placed on the yarndue to the resistance to its feed applied by the tensioning means;particularly when the package has reached a considerable size andrestarting takes place after piecing up the strand following a breaktherein or after replenishment of the supply. To correct this lattercondition a slow-speed starting device is sometimes embodied in thedrive of the machine, but this complicates the mechanism and adds to thecost of manufacture.

To overcome the above-noted difliculties and deficiencies in windingapparatus of various types the present invention provides means forrelieving the tension applied to the yarn at the start of the windingoperation, thus correcting the trouble at its source. For securing thisdesired result the invention contemplates the employment of means forautomatically opening the tension-device during the initial stage of thewinding and prior to the starting or restarting of 'the rotation of thepackage. As a preferred form of construction the following specificationdescribes electromagnetic means for automatically adjusting or openingthe tension-device. I

Figs. 1 to 5, inclusive, of the present drawings illustrate theinvention as applied to a bobbin or pirn winding machine such as shownand described in an application for patent Serial No. 231,044, filedSeptember 21, 1938, by C. D. Reynolds and H. A. Moe. In this type ofmachine the completed bobbins are doifed and replaced by freshyarn-carriers automatically to provide for continuous operation of themachine. The dofhng and donning means and the means for restoring theparts to initial position to start the winding of a new bobbin areoperated electrically as fully disclosed in the application referred toabove.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2 of the present drawings, one unit of themulti-spindle winding machine is here'shown as comprising a main frameor casing 2 enclosing the driving mechanism for a rotary windingspindle. 3 and a traversing thread-guide 5. The winding spindle 3 isrotated by means of a gear 3 connected thereto by a clutch l0 and drivenby a gear I onthe driveshaft 8. The thread-guide 5 is carried by atraverse-rod i2 extending in parallel relation to the spindle 3 andadapted to be reciprocated by a rocker-arm l3 connected thereto by alink H. The rocker-arm i3 is arranged to be continuously oscillated by acam l5 through the means of a bowl or follower I6 on the arm engaging ahelical groove in the cam. The cam I5 is rotatably mounted on thewinding spindle 3 and connected to a gear i1 driven by a gear l3 on asecond drive-shaft ill.

The wooden bobbin or yarn-carrier b is held between a slidablespindle-extension 20 at the end of the spindle 3 and a stub-spindle 23journaled in an outboard bearing 24 supported by a bracket 25 projectingforwardly from the frame or casing 2. The head of the bobbin 1) is heldfrictionally in a cup 21 at the end of the spindle-extension 20 and thelatter is telescopically connected to the main spindle 3 to adapt it tobe retracted to release the bobbin upon the completion of the winding.The retraction of the spindle-extension 20 is effected byelectromagnetic means, not herein shown but fully described andillustrated in the application previously referred to. When released,the wound bobbins drop down into a box or chute arranged below. but notherein shown, and the fresh bobbin is delivered to the machine from amagazine 28 by instrumentalities indicated generally at 29 in Fig. 2.

The thread-guide 5 is mounted on a holder 30 in the form of a bifurcatedarm having legs 3| pivoted on the traverse-rod [2. The traverserod i2 isformed with partial screw-threads 32 for engaging the threaded bore of asleeve-like nut 34 mounted on the rod between the bifurcations or legs3| of the thread-guide arm 30. A progression wheel or disk 35 fast onthe nut 34 is adapted to make contact with the yarn wound on the carrierb to feed the thread-guide 5 outwardly along the rod i2 during thewinding, whereof to build the bobbin with progressively advancingconical layers in the usual manner known to those versed in the art.After 9. bobbin has been completed and dotted the threadguide 5 isreturned automatically to initial position to wind 8. new bobbin byreleasing the nut 34 from the threads 32 on the traverse-rod l2 andsliding the arm 30 rearwardly on the rod under the action ofelectromagnetic means shown and described in the application previouslyreferred to.

Surmounting the casing 2 is a bracket 33 which, with several similarbrackets spaced along the gang machine, support a horizontal rod 33. Anarm 43 supported from the rod 33 carries a supply-holder 4i for mountinga cone C orother package of yarn for delivery of the strand :1 to thebobbins to be wound on the machine. Projecting upwardly from the bracket33 is a stanchion 43 which serves as one of a series of similar supportsfor a pair of horizontal rods 44 and 45. Also supported by thestanchions 43 below the rod 45 is a tubular rod or pipe 41 which forms aconduit for the conductors or wires of the electrical circuit forenergizing the electromagnetic means of the machine.

Supported from the rod 45 is a bracket 43 on which is mounted thetension-device 53 for applying tension to the strand 1/ as it feeds tothe winding bobbin. The tension-device may be of any preferred form and,as herein illustrated, it-

comprises a pair of tension-members or gridlike plates 5| and 52arranged in opposed relationship with their bars or fingers 53alternating and adapted to overlap to form a sinuous course for thestrand 1/ drawing between the plates. The two members or plates 5| and52 are supported on a rod 55 projecting through apertures in ears 53 and51 at the top and bottom of the plates and held in lugs 53 and 53 on thebracket 43. One member 5| is fastened in fixed position on the bracket43 while the other member 52 is free to pivot on the rod 55 to adapt itto swing toward and away from the fixed member. The member 52 is formedat the top with a laterally-projecting arm 53, see Figs. 3 and 4, towhich is attached a cord 3| connected at its opposite end to a pin orweight-holder 34 carrying a weight 55. The cord 5i leads across a hook66 on the side of the bracket 43 and thus acts to suspend the holder 54and its weight 35 to urge the movable tension-member 52 toward the fixedmember 5|, thus causing them to cooperate to apply pressure on thestrand 1: to sinuate its course as it draws through the device. The rod55 is continued downwardly beyond the bracket 43 and bent atright-angles with a pigtail 51 formed at its end. Fastened to the top ofthe bracket 43 is a second pigtail 33 which cooperates with the pigtail51 to guide the strand 1 in a medial course through the tensiondevice.Fastened to the rod 44 at the upper end of the stanchion 43 is aspring-arm 69 carrying a guiding eye 13 at its upper end, through whichthe strand 1! leads to direct it downwardly to the thread-guide 5; thearm 53 being adapted to flex slightly under fluctuations in the draft onthe yarn as it is wound up and down on the conical chase of the bobbinsThe means for adjusting or opening the tension-device 50 to relieve thetension on the strand comprises an electromagnet 15 which is energizedfrom a circuit controlled by the switch that initiates the operation ofthe automatic donning mechanism prior to starting. the winding of a newbobbin. The magnet 15 may be of any suitable type with its coil-windingssurrounding a core I5 forming an extension of a wire arm 11. The arm 11is formed with an angular portion 13 journaled in a bearing I9 whichprojects laterally from an arm or bracket 30 rigidly fastened to the rod45 at one side of the tension bracket 43. A collar 14 on. the end of theangular portion 13 of the arm 11 holds the arm in place. The arm 11 isthus swiveled to the bracket 30 to adapt it to pivot thereon, beingnormally maintained in the position illustrated by full lines in Figs. 1and 2 by gravity, resting upon 8. lug 3| projecting from the side of theheld with the end of its core 18 adjacent but spaced a slight distanceaway from the flaring forward portion of the movable tension-member 52at the upper end thereof. Consequently,

when the magnet 151s energized it will attract the outer portion of thepivoted tension-member 52 and swing the latter away from the stationarymember 5|, as shown in Fig. 4, to relieve the pressure of the members onthe strand 1!. The pivotal mounting of the arm 11 permits the magnet 15to be lifted manually into the position indicated by dash-lines in Fig.2, whereof to allow the tension-member 52 to be swung wide open forcleaning the device or other purposes. A lug 82 spaced from the lug 8|on the bracket 80 acts to limit the upward movement of the arm 11 toinsure that the magnet 15 will return to its lowermost or operativeposition,

when released.

The magnet 15 is connected in circuit with the source of electricalcurrent which operates the other parts of the machine by flexibleconductors 84 and 85 joined to wires 88 and 81 leading through theconduit 41. The circuit is closed to energize the magnet by means of aSwitch 80 shown in Figs. 2 and 5. The switch 80 may be of any suitabletype and actuated from any moving part of the machine, in thepresentembodiment of the invention the rotary drum-switch shown in theapplication hereinbefore referred tobeing made use of. In the machine ofthe prior application the rotary dnmi. of the switch is energized by aspring placed under tension by electromagnetic means. The rotary switchserves as the timing device for the various instrumentalities of thedoffing and donning mechanism, the spring being released and energizedto rotate the drum to close the several circuits in timed sequence. Forthe present purpose the switch 90 may be in the same circuit with thebobbin-donning means which remain active to hold the fresh bobbin oryam-receiver in connection with the winding spindle of the machine as itis first rotated to wind several coils of yarn on the bobbin. For thesake of simplicity the switch 90 is shown in the wiring diagram of Fig.5 as connected directly in circuit with the magnet windings, indicatedat 15, and the current line conductors i and 92 through the wires 84, 85and 94.

The construction and arrangement of one preferred embodiment of theinvention having been described in detail its method of operation isexplained as follows: To prepare the machine for operation the strand yof yarn or other material is drawn off from the supply cone 0, led upthrough the pigtail 61, tension-device 50 and pigtail 68; whence it isthreaded through the guideeye 10 on the arm 69, thence drawn down to thethread-guide and threaded therethrough with its end attached to thebobbin 1). The winding spindle 3 is driven continuously and through itsconnected cup 21 engaging the bobbin b the latter is rotated to wind onthe yarn as it is traversed longitudinally thereof by the thread-guide5, actuated by the continuously-reciprocated traverse-rod I2. As thewinding operation proceeds the thread-guide 5 is advanced outwardlyalong the traverse-rod I2 by the turning of the progression wheel 35which makes contact intermittently with the yarn on the bobbin at eachrearward traverse-stroke of the guide. The bobbin increases in sizelongitudinally until finally it reaches its full length, at whichjuncture suitable instrumentalities are actuated to energize the dofilngmeans. The full bobbin is doffed by the retraction of the spindle-cup 21and thereafter the donning means places a fresh yamcarrier in alinementwith the winding spindle 3 and stub-spindle 28, holding it in thisposition until it is gripped automatically by the spindlecup 21 androtated thereby. In the meantime the thread-guide vI1 is restored tofirst position.

and the strand 1 drawing therethrough is fastened to the bobbin' bygripping it between the latter and the cup 21, this operation also beingperformed automatically.- 4

' As before stated, the donning means remains active during the initialstage of the winding and the tension-relief takes place at this time.That is'to say, immediately the donning means starts to act theelectrical circuit to the magnet 15 is closed by the switch 90 whichcontrols the donning operation. Energization of the magnet 15 causes itscore 18 to attract the pivoted tension-member 52 and swing it away fromthe fixed member 5|, asshown in Fig. 4, to relieve the tension on thestrandy, this relief taking place just before the start of winding thenew bobbin and continuing for a brief period thereafter. The magnet 15is then de-energized by the continued rotation of the drum-switch 90,thereby releasing the tension-member 52 to permit it to swing back intooperative position under the influence of the weight 85 connectedthereto. The return of the tension-member 52 will be relatively slow sothat tension is applied to the running strand y gradually withoutplacing a sudden strain on the yarn. In this way the device operates torelieve the tension on the yarn at the start of the winding when thestrand is taken up suddenly so that all chance of rupturing or strainingthe material is eliminated.

Figs. 6 to 9 of the present drawings illustrate the invention as appliedto a winding machine of the type known as a precision winder. This typeof machine is employed for producing crosswound packages of relativelylarge size, of either cylindrical or conical shape. As hereinillustrated the winding machine comprises a main frame I00 providingbearings for a horizontal winding spindle I03 journaled therein and acam-shaft I04 arranged therebelow in parallel relation thereto. Areciprocable thread-guide I05 is slidably mounted on a traverse-frameI06 which is pivoted on the cam-shaft I04 to permit the guide to moveaway from the winding spindle as the package is built up thereon. Thetraverse-frame I06 is balanced by a counterweight I01 tending tomaintain the guide I05 bearing against the surface of the package beingwound and a dogging device, represented generally at I08, cooperateswithan arcuate quadrant I09 to resist the movement of the traverse-frametoward the winding spindle.

The quadrant I09 is pivoted to the main frame I00 by means of a stud orscrew 0 to adapt it to serve as a rockable stopping lever forinitiatcarrying a hand-lever H1 and also an arm or lever I I3, the lowerend of which is formed with a detent abutment II9 adapted to engage theshoulder on the abutment II3 at'the end of the arm II4 of the quadrantI39. The rocker-shaft II3 may be operated by a springjor other meansupon release of the detents to' cause declutchins of the drive to arrestthe operation of the machine. The operation of the machine is started byrocking the hand-lever I" manually in a clockwise direction as viewed inFig. 6 to clutch the drive pulley with the winding spindle, the detentabutments H3 and Ill being engaged at -this time to maintain the driveconnected.

Any suitable type of tension-device may be used with the machine shownin Fig.- 6 and as here illustrated a disk-tension I23 is mounted on abracket I2I fastened to the side of the ma chine frame I33 at I22. Thebracket I2I is formed with a circular housing I23 projecting from theside of a hub I24 in which is fixedly secured a sleeve I23. Mounted torotate on the sleeve I23 are a pair of tension-dlsks I33 and III ofusual construction having opposed convex faces with rims flaringoutwardly therefrom. A spindle I32 is slidably mounted in the sleeve I23and carries a collar I33 fastened to its outer end by means of aset-screw- I 34. The collar I33 is arranged to bear against a flexiblediaphragm I35 which engages against the rim of the tension-disk I33;while the opposite disk "I has a similar flexible diaphragm I33 bearingagainst its rim with its central portion in abutting relation to theface of a boss I31 on the end of the hub I24. The spindle I32 projectsbeyond the hub I24 to adapt it to receive a helical spring I33 tensionedbetween the hub and a collar I39 fastened to the-end of the spindle.Through this means the outer collar I33 applies pressure at the centerof the outer diaphragm I33 to cause the latter to act against the rim ofthe tensiondisk I33 to maintain the latter bearing against the strand 1drawing between the disks; the inner diaphragm I33 acting with ayielding pressure against the disk I3I.

Below the tension-device I23 is a pigtail-guide I43 for directing thestrand 1 between the disks and mounted on top of the bracket I2I is aslubcatcher I4I through which the strand feeds to clean the yarn. Abovethe slub-catcher MI is a guiding pin I42 across which the strand 1!leads as it draws upwardly to the thread-guide I33 to feed to thepackage being wound, a thread-bail I43 being mounted on the upperportion of the traverse-frame I33 to serve as a track or guideway forthe yarn during the reciprocation of the guide.

A triangularly-shaped drop-wire or stopping lever I44 is pivoted at I43on the forward end of the quadrant I39 with one arm reaching downwardlyand carrying a cross-pin I43 on which is a sleeve I41 arranged to bearagainst the strand 1 as it feeds to the winding. The opposite arm or legI43 of the drop-wire I44 is adapted to be engaged by projections orteeth I43 on a wheel or rotary disk I33 which is mounted on and rotatedby the cam-shaft I34. When the strand breaks or its supply is exhaustedthe drop-wire I44 is released to permit its arm I43 to swing intoengagement with one of the teeth I49 on the rotary disk I33, whereby itacts to lift the outer end of the quadrant I39 to disengage the detentsI I3 and I I9 and release the lever II3. Upon release of the lever IIIthe rocker-shaft H3 is operated to disconnect the drive to arrest theoperation of the machine.

With this last described type of winding machine the tension-device I23is opened by sliding the spindle I32 to remove the pressure of its,

collar I33 against the diaphragm I33 so that the pressure of thetension-disks against the strand is relieved. This result isaccomplished by means ofan electromagnet I33. carried by an elbowshapedarm I33 pivotally fastened to the tensionbracket I2I by a stud I31.Conveniently, the magnet I33 may be held in a strap-like extension I33of the arm I33 enclosing the magnet and fastened to the main portion ofthe arm by a screw I33. A set-screw I33 threaded through an oflset lugI3I on the bracket I2I is arranged to bear against the under side of thearm I33 to locate the magnet with its core I32 disposed 'at a slightdistance away from the end of the collar I33. The windings of the magnetI33 are connected in circuit with a source of current by means of wiresI33 and I34, an automaticallyoperated switch being provided for closingthe circuit when the winding machine is first started to operate.

As shown in Figs. 6, 7 and 8 the switch I13 may be of the mercury typemounted on a. pivoted arm or holder "I. The switch-holder I II ispivoted on a screw I12 at the upper end of an arm I13 projectingvertically from a bracket I13 attached to the machine frame at I13.Fastened to the bracket I13 is a cylinder I11 which constltutes a partof a dash-pot for delaying the opening of the switch I13. A weightedpiston I13 in the cylinder I11 is connected by a rod I19 to theswitch-holder "I and in the bottom of the cylinder is a valve I 33having a hall-closure I3I whereby when the piston is raised in thecylinder the valve will be opened to admit air.

When the piston I13 descends in the cylinder the valve is closed by theball "I and a small vent-orifice I32 permits the slow escape of the airso that the downward movement of the piston is retarded to retard thetilting action of the member "I in opening the switch I13.

The glass envelope of the switch I 33 is provided with contacts In and mat one end across which the mercury I 33 flows when the opposite end ofthe switch is tilted upwardly as shown in Fig. 8, thus closing thecircuit to the magnet I33. Referring to Fig. 9, one pole of the switchI13 is connected with the magnet I33 by the wire I33 and the wire I94from the opposite pole is connected to the line conductor I92 with awire I34 leading from the opposite line conductor I93 to the magnet I33. The line conductors I92 and I93 carry current from any usual source.

The switch-arm "I is tilted upwardly to close the switch by the movementof the starting lever I I1 when the latter is rocked in a clockwisedirection to start the operation of the winding machine. The startinghandle II1 carries an arm I93 at the end of which is a pivoted latch I33adapted to engage under and lift the switchholder "I. The latch- I93 ispivoted between the sides of the forked end of the arm I33 on a screwI9I, a hairpin-shapedspring I93 coiled about the screw being arranged tonormally hold the latch in the position shown in Fig. 6. The latch I93has a forwardly-extending arm adapted to engage under the end of theswitch-holder HI and a downwardly-extending arm formed with a stop I93adapted to engage in under one of the sides of the forked end of the armI33. The spring I 93 'tends to maintain the latch I93 in the positionshown in Fig. 6 with the stop I36 engaged with the arm I35 whilepermitting the latch to rock in a clockwise direction on the arm whenthe latter moves downwardly to position the latch under the end of theswitch-holder III.

The method of operation of the last-described embodiment of theinvention is explained as fol-' lows: After the strand of yarn'y hasbeen drawn from its source of supply, not herein shown, threaded throughthe tension-device I20 and led up to the thread-guide I05 in the manneras explained above its end is attached to a fiber or paper tube Tmounted on the winding spindle I03. To initiate the winding operationthe starting handle I I1 is rocked in a clockwise direction from theposition shown in Fig. 'I to that illustrated in Fig. 6, whereby toconnect the drive with the winding spindle I03. During the first part ofthe movement of the handle II! the latch I at the the mercury I35 acrossthe contacts I33 and I84.

immediately closes the circuit to the magnet I55 and the latteris'energized to cause its core I 62 to attract the collar I33 on the endof the spindle I32 of the tension-device I20. The attraction of thecollar I33 slides the spindle I32 to relieve the pressure of thediaphragms I35 and I35 against the rims of the tension-disks I30 and I3Iand the disks are then free to separate so that immediately the strand ystarts to feed through the tension-device no substantial resistance toits draft is encountered.

It will be understood that the energization of the magnet I55 takesplace at the first movement of the starting handle I I1 before theclutch is actuated to engage the driving means and start the rotation ofthe spindle I03. As the movement of the starting handle III is continuedthe abutment II9 on the arm or lever H8 is carried down into engagementwith the shoulder on the abutment I I5, as illustrated in Fig. 6, tocomplete the clutching of the drive and immediately thereafter thespindle I03 is rotated to wind on the yarn as it is traversedlongitudinally thereof by the reciprocating thread-guide I05. Duringthis last movement of the handle II! the latch I90 rides off from theend of the switch-holder HI and under the influence of gravity thepiston I'I3 starts to descend in the cylinder I". The ball closure IBIremains seated in the valve opening I30 and consequently the air beneaththe piston will escape slowly through the vent orifice I82.Consequently, the switchholder I'II will be retarded in its movementback to its original position shown in Fig. 6 so that the switch willremain closed for a brief interval while the first few coils of yarn.are being wound onto the tube T on the winding spindle I03.

Eventually, as the piston I10 reaches the bottom of the cylinder I" theswitch-holder III will be tilted back into the position shown in Fig. 6to flow the mercury I35 away from the contacts I33 and I84 to open thecircuit to the magnet I55. The magnet I55 is thus de-energizedand as itscore I62 releases the collar I33 the spindle I32 is slid to the left asviewed in Fig. .6 under the tension of the spring I33. Pressure is thenagain applied to the tension-disks I30 and I3I to cause them to bearagainst the strand y to apply resistance to its draft, and thus the yarnis tensioned as it feeds to the package being wound during the remainderof the winding operation.

When the strand breaks or its supply is exhausted the drop-wire I isreleased and actu-' ated by engagement with the teeth I 43 on the diskI50 to raise the quadrant I03 and thereby release the detents II! and 3.Upon release of the detents the starting'lever III is swung back intothe position illustrated in Fig. '7 to declutch the drive and the armI36 is swung downwardly to carry the pawl I30 beneath the end of theswitch-holder III in position to raise the latter again when theoperation of the machine is restarted. As the arm I33 moves downwardlythe latch I30 comes into contact with the end of the switch-holder Illand is rocked upwardly against the tension of its spring I95 to permitit to pass by the end of the switch-holder.

It will thus be observed that at each starting of on the yarn. By thusrelieving the applied tension on the strand when it is first taken up bythe rotation of the winding spindle all strain' on the yarn is avoidedto prevent its rupture or injury to the material. Consequently, thewinding spindle can be started at a high rate of speed so that the useof complicated slow-speed starting devices is unnecessary.

While the invention is herein shown and described as embodied intwo'preferred forms of construction, it is to be understood that variousmodifications may be made in the structure and arrangement of the partsof the device without departing from the spirit or scope of theinvention. Therefore, without limiting myself in this respect, I claim:

1. In combination, means for winding a strand of yarn or the like toform a package, means movable into engagement with the strand beingwound for applying tension thereto, and electrically-operated means formoving the tensioning means laterally of the yarn strand to relieve thetension on the strand at the start of the winding operation.

2. In a winding machine, the combination with the winding mechanism, ofmeans for tensioning the yarn feeding to the winding,electricallyoperated means for adjusting the tensioning means to relievethe tension on the yarn, a source of current in circuit with theelectricallyoperated means, a switch in said circuit, and

means operated from the winding mechanism for closing said switch'at thestart of the wind-" ing operation.

3. In a winding machine, the combination with the winding mechanism, ofmeans for tensioning the yarn feeding to the winding, electrical meansfor adjusting the tensioning means to relieve the tension on the yarn, asource of current in circuit with the electrical means, a switch in saidcircuit, means for closing the switch at the start of winding, means foropening the switch, and means for delaying the opening of the switchduring the initial stage of the winding operation.

4. In a winding machine, the combination with. the winding mechanism, ofa tension-device for tensioning the yarn as it feeds to the winding,electrical means for adjusting the tension-device to relieve the tensionon the yarn, a source of tension-disks I and I3I to relieve the tensiondetermined period during the initial stage 01' the winding operation.

5. In a winding machine, the combination with the winding mechanism, ofa tension-device for applying tension to the strand of yarn or the likefeeding to the winding, an electromagnet for adjusting thetension-device torelieve the tension on the strand, '8. source 01current in circuit with the electromagnet, a switch in said circuit,means actuated from the winding mechanism for automatically closing saidswitch at the start of the winding operation, and means for opening theswitch after the start of the winding operation.

6. In a winding machine, means for winding a strand or yarn or the likeon a yarn-carrier to form a package, means for tensioning the strandbeing wound, means for starting and stopping the winding operation,electrically-Q actuated means for adjusting the tensionlng means torelieve the tension on the strand, and means controlled by the startingmeans for energizing said electrically-operated means during the firststage of the winding operation.

7. In a winding machine, means for winding a strand of yarn or the likeon a yam-carrier to form a package, means for tensioning the strandbeing wound, electromagnetic means for adjusting the tensioning means torelieve the tension on the strand, a source of current in circuit withsaid electromagnetic means, a switch in said circuit, and means forclosing said switch for a predetermined period during the start of thewinding operation.

8. In a winding machine, the" combination of mechanism for winding astrand oi yarn or the like, starting means for controlling the operationof the winding mechanism, means for tensioning the strand as it'ieeds tothe winding, means for adjusting the tensioning means to relieve thetension on the strand, and means actuated by the starting means tooperate the tensionadjusting means at the start of the windingoperation.

9. In a winding machine, the combination with the winding mechanism, ofstarting means therefor, a tension-device for tensioning a strand ofyarn or the like feeding to the winding, elecaasasso trically-oper'atedmeans ior relieving the tension on the strand, a source or current incircuit with said electrically-operated means, a switch in said circuit,and means operated from the starting means to close said switch toenergize the electrically-operated means at the start of the windingoperation.

10. In a winding machine, means for winding a strand of yarn or the liketo form a package, a tension-device comprising relatively movabletension-members adapted to bear against the strand to apply tensionthereto as it steeds to the winding, and means actuated from the windingmachine to operate said tension-members to rehave the tension on thestrand at the start of the winding operation.

11. In a winding machine, means for winding a strand oi yarn or the liketo form a package, tension means adapted to bear against the strand toapply tension thereto as it feeds to the wind- -,ing, means to applypressure to said tension a strand of yarn or the like to form a package,

manually-operable starting means for the winding means, a tension-devicecomprising a member adapted to bear against the strand to apply tensionthereto, and means operated by the starting means for'moving said memberlaterally of the yarn strand to relieve the tension on the strand at thestart of the winding operation.

13. In a winding machine, means for winding a strand of yarn or the liketo form a package, starting means for the winding machine, atension-device comprising opposed members adapted to bear against thestrand to apply tension thereto as it feeds to the winding, and meansoperated by the actuation of the starting means to move one of saidtension-members with respect to the other member to relieve the tensionon the strand at the start of the windin operation.

' ERNEST R. SWANSON.

